What can you do with a Economics degree from University at Buffalo?

First, some facts. Of the Economics graduates from University at Buffalo we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 60%, Economics graduates from University at Buffalo have a lower likelihood (-7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 60%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 25% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Economics graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Economics graduate from University at Buffalo and our analysis:


Relevance score: 13%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from University at Buffalo with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Envision Real Estate
Jan 2018 - Oct 2023
The role of a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson does not require the specific skills or knowledge gained from a degree in Economics, as it primarily involves sales and client relations rather than economic analysis or theory.

Owner
Realty ONE Group Empower
Sep 2023 - Present
As an Owner at Realty ONE Group Empower, the job likely involves applying economic principles, market analysis, and strategic decision-making on a daily basis, which are directly relevant to the knowledge gained from a Bachelor's degree in Economics.

ABOUT

As agents serving the greater Buffalo area, The [NAME REMOVED] Perkins team provides strategic marketing and transaction management services to its clients across many Western New York Markets. Being a Buffalo native for over 20 years, [NAME REMOVED] Perkins found his true passion for real estate through his interest in design and Buffalo's marvelous architecture. Combining his passion for real estate with strong leadership and teaching skills, [NAME REMOVED] has started his own team, aimed at being the most innovative and competitive in the real estate market. The [NAME REMOVED] Perkins Team is made up of seven additional highly trained and dedicated agents. Ranked in the TOP 100 locally and top 5% nationally. Our mission is built on communication, dedication, & trust while embodying the ability to adapt and cater to all our clients' real estate needs.

What jobs can you get with a Economics degree from University at Buffalo?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


From looking at the jobs people with Economics degrees from the University at Buffalo have gotten into, there's a mix of roles. A lot of them have gravitated toward positions in sales, management, and various banking roles. For instance, you see titles like Director of Sales and Area Sales Manager popping up, which often rely more on practical business skills rather than in-depth economic analysis. While these jobs sometimes incorporate elements of economics—like understanding market trends or consumer behavior—they usually don’t demand a strong foundation in economic theory.

On the flip side, there are definitely some roles that are squarely aligned with economics. Jobs like Data Analyst or Research Analyst apply economic principles directly, focusing on data interpretation and market analysis. Overall, it seems that while many graduates are in jobs where economics plays a supportive role, only a handful are in positions that truly leverage the core knowledge from their degree. So, while they might not be working in the field of economics as you’d expect, the skills learned in their studies still find a way into a variety of careers!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Economics graduates (this is across all Economics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University at Buffalo):

What kind of career trajectories do Economics graduates from University at Buffalo have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University at Buffalo who studied Economics, it seems like there’s a pretty mixed bag when it comes to their first jobs and where they've ended up a few years down the line. Right after graduation, many of them seem to land roles that are somewhat tied to Economics or business, like sales positions, administrative roles, and data analysis jobs. For instance, you see graduates starting out as sales associates or in management trainee programs at banks, which is a solid introduction to the business world.

However, fast forward five to ten years, and the picture starts to get a little more varied. While some graduates find their footing in well-established companies or positions that leverage their Economics background—think data analysts and risk analysts—others have taken a bit of a detour, ending up in roles that might not be directly related to their degree, such as teaching or insurance. On one hand, it's great to see some graduates moving into management positions and even owning businesses, while on the other hand, there are a fair number of folks whose careers have strayed into unrelated fields. Overall, it seems like an Economics degree offers a decent launchpad, but it depends a lot on the individual choices they make afterward. Some have hit the ground running in relevant careers, while others have veered off into various sectors, making it a bit of a mixed bag experience overall.

How hard is a Economics degree from University at Buffalo?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at the University at Buffalo—or really anywhere—isn't a walk in the park, but it can definitely be manageable if you’re motivated and have a decent grasp of math and analytical thinking. The coursework dives into concepts like micro and macroeconomics, statistics, and maybe some econometrics, which can get a bit technical. While some students find the material intriguing and engaging, others might struggle with the quantitative aspects. Overall, I'd say it's about average in difficulty compared to other majors—challenging enough to keep you on your toes, but not so brutal that it will completely overwhelm you if you stay organized and seek help when you need it.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Economics.

Do Economics graduates from University at Buffalo tend to make good money?

So, looking at the job trajectories of these University at Buffalo grads, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well, especially those who landed roles in sales, management, or specialized fields like data analysis. The ones working in breweries or as real estate agents might have more variable incomes, but those with roles at big companies like GEICO or JPMorgan Chase are likely pulling in decent salaries with benefits. On the flip side, a few of the more entry-level positions, particularly in customer service or education, might not be as lucrative right off the bat. Overall, there’s a solid mix, but it leans toward people having good earning potential as they move into their careers, especially if they stay within industries known for higher pay.

What buzzwords do Economics graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Economics (this is across all Economics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University at Buffalo). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Economics?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Economics (ordered by the average relevance score of their Economics graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of Chicago 83 22
Northwestern University 80 26
Middlebury College 79 13
Davidson College 79 11
Miami University 78 10
Columbia University in the City of New York 78 10
University of Notre Dame 75 11
University of Maryland College Park 74 32
Villanova University 74 14
Dartmouth College 74 16
Indiana University Bloomington 73 15
University of Michigan 73 51
University of California, Berkeley 73 56
The University of Texas at Dallas 73 12
Boston College 73 33
Harvard University 73 20
The Ohio State University 72 26
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 72 26
Binghamton University 72 18
Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick 71 11
Hillsdale College 71 13
Penn State University 70 51
Clemson University 70 17
University of Utah 70 19
University of Minnesota 70 13
Duke University 70 13
The University of Texas at Austin 69 44
Michigan State University 69 33
The University of Georgia 69 12
University of Pennsylvania 69 18
Yale University 69 15
Florida International University 68 18
Hamilton College 68 14
University of North Texas 67 14
Brigham Young University 67 26
University of California, Los Angeles 67 44
Colorado State University 67 15
Boston University 67 13
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 67 10
Vanderbilt University 67 19
Arizona State University 66 30
UC Santa Barbara 66 19
William & Mary 66 11
University of Massachusetts Boston 66 10
College of the Holy Cross 66 17
University of South Florida 65 15
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 65 24
James Madison University 65 11
University of Colorado Boulder 65 26
University of Southern California 65 24
University of Maryland 65 23
Syracuse University 65 11
University of California, San Diego 65 15
Fordham University 65 15
Stanford University 65 12
University of Wisconsin-Madison 64 48
University of Houston 64 19
San Diego State University-California State University 64 13
University of Florida 63 35
New York University 63 37
University of Virginia 63 30
University of Connecticut 63 23
University of California San Diego 63 11
Texas A&M University 62 46
University of Pittsburgh 62 20
Northeastern University 61 16
Cornell University 61 18
University of Miami 61 14
University at Albany, SUNY 61 18
University of California, Davis 60 33
University of California, Santa Cruz 60 11
University at Buffalo 60 16
Virginia Commonwealth University 59 11
Texas Christian University 59 16
Tufts University 59 10
Spelman College 59 12
Occidental College 59 11
Florida State University 58 37
University of Oregon 58 24
UC Irvine 58 13
Stony Brook University 58 10
The George Washington University 58 14
Emory University 58 11
University of Iowa 57 13
Santa Clara University 57 11
University of Washington 56 29
Rutgers University 56 15
Loyola Marymount University 56 11
University of Central Florida 55 12
University of Arizona 55 16
University of Hawaii at Manoa 55 12
Southern Methodist University 55 13
Georgia State University 54 17
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 54 16
Denison University 54 13
California State University-Sacramento 53 19
George Mason University 53 22
University of Delaware 53 11
San Diego State University 51 17
Northern Illinois University 51 12
University of California, Irvine 51 10
University of Georgia - Terry College of Business 51 10
Queens College 50 16
The University of Texas at Arlington 48 12
University of California, Riverside 48 14
North Carolina State University 46 10
San Jose State University 45 16
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 44 10
Baruch College 44 11
Wake Forest University 44 11
University of South Carolina 38 10
Temple University 35 11
United States Military Academy at West Point 23 15